What to dose

essmaker · 11-20-2003, 05:21 PM

My system seems very healthy, and all parameters (ph, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, Ammonia) are near perfect if not perfect.

I am dosing with Stronium and Molybdenum about once a week currently.

My calcium levels are off the charts (my test only goes up to 450 and mine is somewhat higher than that) so I don't dose any calc.

Is there anything else someone would recommend that I add for general reef happiness?

Thanks in advance!

Flipper · 11-20-2003, 05:24 PM

Are you sure your test kit is accurate? Which kit are you using?

essmaker · 11-20-2003, 05:29 PM

I'm using a Red Sea Calcium Pro test kit that is well within expiration. I haven't tested it with a different kit (thought I should).

A guy at the LFS convinced me to purchase a certain type of rock that I put into my sump. He said it released calcium on it's own and that he had never had to dose. I con't remember what the name of the rock is, but it's just a white LR looking stuff.

Curtswearing · 11-20-2003, 05:32 PM

I use a Red Sea during the middle of the week when I just want to do a quick check. However, I have found it to be off by 50 ppm often when checked against other test kits.

Curtswearing · 11-20-2003, 05:34 PM

That's likely Sea-Lab #28.

It will dissolve and it will release calcium. But it does not do what they claim it does. Namely only dissolve the trace elements or calcium when that particular element is lacking. That's advertising hype.

essmaker · 11-20-2003, 05:44 PM

So aside from getting a reliable calcium test done, does anyone recommend anythingto dose in general?

Curtswearing · 11-20-2003, 05:54 PM

I don't recommend dosing anything if I don't have a test kit for it. I have seen people wipe out invertebrates by doing a dosing regimen with Iodine.

I dose a 2 part Calcium and Alkalinity product called B-Ionic. I also drip Kalk often. However, I didn't do that until I owned test kits for Alkalinity, pH, and Calcium.

Choosing a Calcium and Alkalinity Scheme

and here's another one of my favorites.
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

Most trace elements are replaced when doing a waterchange.

essmaker · 11-20-2003, 06:01 PM

Thanks!

ScottT1980 · 11-20-2003, 06:53 PM

Quote:

I don't recommend dosing anything if I don't have a test kit for it. I have seen people wipe out invertebrates by doing a dosing regimen with Iodine.

I agree wholeheartedly. I tried to take out my tank by getting a bit too proactive. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Take er easy
Scott T.

fidojoe · 11-20-2003, 06:55 PM

I also have the Calcium Test kit Pro from Red sea, you can actually use the chart to calculate higher #s and add more drops if you want to know the exact #.

DICK · 11-20-2003, 07:22 PM

I got a bit lazy approx. 6 months ago and stopped adding small amounts of Iodine I ussually used to add every week. But I noticed my shrooms were not as "happy" as they were when I was adding the Iodine, so I began two weeks ago to add it again and they are really coming back now.
DICK

Curtswearing · 11-20-2003, 07:27 PM

After a while, you will be able to see when things are "off" as Dick just mentioned.

At this point I can tell if there is any large quantities of ammonia in my tank or if the some other parameter is off just by looking at my corals and fish.

However, I would still recommend test, test, test until you have a lot of experience with your tank.

essmaker · 11-20-2003, 07:30 PM

Thanks for all the answers!

DICK · 11-20-2003, 07:31 PM

I trickle limewater 24/7 and only test for Ca, Alk, Ph and SG approx. once a month.

wooddood · 11-23-2003, 07:14 AM

good reading all thanks.

11-20-2003, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	What to dose My system seems very healthy, and all parameters (ph, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, Ammonia) are near perfect if not perfect. I am dosing with Stronium and Molybdenum about once a week currently. My calcium levels are off the charts (my test only goes up to 450 and mine is somewhat higher than that) so I don't dose any calc. Is there anything else someone would recommend that I add for general reef happiness? Thanks in advance!

11-20-2003, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flipper Sturgeon General Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York Posts: 156 View Gallery Karma Komment	Are you sure your test kit is accurate? Which kit are you using? __________________ View my photo gallery 55 Gallon, 80 lbs. Live Rock, 3.5" DSB, 1.024 @ 80 degrees, Yellow Tang, Goldbar Maroon Clownfish, Blue Velvet Damsel, 2 White-Bonnet Clownfish, 2 Scissortail Gobies, Royal Gramma, Echinaster luzonicus Star, Red Linkia Star, Brittle Star, Pepermint Shrimp, Green Mushrooms, Protopalythoa Button Polyp colony, Feather Duster. Ocean Futures

11-20-2003, 06:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	I also have the Calcium Test kit Pro from Red sea, you can actually use the chart to calculate higher #s and add more drops if you want to know the exact #. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

11-20-2003, 07:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
DICK Bryozoan Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 53 View Gallery Karma Komment	I got a bit lazy approx. 6 months ago and stopped adding small amounts of Iodine I ussually used to add every week. But I noticed my shrooms were not as "happy" as they were when I was adding the Iodine, so I began two weeks ago to add it again and they are really coming back now. DICK __________________ DICK Florida Marlins, Baby!!!!

11-20-2003, 07:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
DICK Bryozoan Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 53 View Gallery Karma Komment	I trickle limewater 24/7 and only test for Ca, Alk, Ph and SG approx. once a month. __________________ DICK Florida Marlins, Baby!!!!

11-20-2003, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm using a Red Sea Calcium Pro test kit that is well within expiration. I haven't tested it with a different kit (thought I should). A guy at the LFS convinced me to purchase a certain type of rock that I put into my sump. He said it released calcium on it's own and that he had never had to dose. I con't remember what the name of the rock is, but it's just a white LR looking stuff.

11-20-2003, 05:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	I use a Red Sea during the middle of the week when I just want to do a quick check. However, I have found it to be off by 50 ppm often when checked against other test kits.

11-20-2003, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	That's likely Sea-Lab #28. It will dissolve and it will release calcium. But it does not do what they claim it does. Namely only dissolve the trace elements or calcium when that particular element is lacking. That's advertising hype.

11-20-2003, 05:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	So aside from getting a reliable calcium test done, does anyone recommend anythingto dose in general?

11-20-2003, 05:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	I don't recommend dosing anything if I don't have a test kit for it. I have seen people wipe out invertebrates by doing a dosing regimen with Iodine. I dose a 2 part Calcium and Alkalinity product called B-Ionic. I also drip Kalk often. However, I didn't do that until I owned test kits for Alkalinity, pH, and Calcium. Choosing a Calcium and Alkalinity Scheme and here's another one of my favorites. Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems Most trace elements are replaced when doing a waterchange.

11-20-2003, 06:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks!

11-20-2003, 07:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	After a while, you will be able to see when things are "off" as Dick just mentioned. At this point I can tell if there is any large quantities of ammonia in my tank or if the some other parameter is off just by looking at my corals and fish. However, I would still recommend test, test, test until you have a lot of experience with your tank.

11-20-2003, 07:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for all the answers!

11-23-2003, 07:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	good reading all thanks. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

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